Benjamin Netanyahu: Allegations against me are 'baseless'

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Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has called investigations into his alleged wrongdoing “baseless”.

The country's Attorney General, Avihai Mandelblit, is set to launch a criminal investigation in the first week of January.

It follows a nine-month police investigation into Mr Netanyahu which local media have claimed is related to claims of bribery and fraud.

Neither Attorney General Avihai Mandelblit or the police have confirmed what their investigations are related to.

Channel 2 television has alleged Mr Netanyahu is suspected of receiving “significant gifts” from a local and a foreign businessman, although it provided few details.

Police have reportedly asked the prime minister's office to schedule a suitable date for questioning.

But Mr Netanyahu said the probe would not uncover any evidence of wrongdoing.

“All these scandals have turned out to be baseless and so will the allegations being published in the media now,” he said in a statement.

But Mr Mandelblit has reportdely authorised police to question Netanyahu under caution in relation to two matters and that a date for the interrogation would be set in the coming days.

The Justice Ministry said an announcement would be made “in due course”.